The Ireland AM presenter was orphaned at the age of 10 after the death of his parents, and years later a sister and brother of his also died. Read more: Tommy Bowe suffered his kids wetting themselves and poonamis but being a dad is challenging and rewarding
Read more: Ireland AM's Tommy Bowe says moving to Dublin would make things a lot easier for his wife and kids "When you see your sister and your brother die at a youngish age, you just want to grasp life and live it."He told the RTÉ Guide: "She had been unwell, so I was in her room, just lying with her and she passed."Dealing with grief at such a young age really shaped Alan as a person.
He said: "When Doreen first met Karl, she said 'I really like you but if you do anything on him, I'll come and haunt you!' "Now, when something good happens for myself and Karl I say, 'Ah they are all looking down on us - Doreen and David , Mam and Dad and my dear friend Noel O'Brien. I do believe that there is a God and hope there is a life after this one where I'll meet all those family and friends I've loved.Alan and Karl celebrated their 30th anniversary back in September. That date also marked their wedding anniversary.
The Ireland AM star said: "We have everything big since on that date. We got married on September 30,2011, in the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin and last year we had a party to mark our 30th anniversary together?"He explained: "It wasn't for the 60th because I didn't want to tell anyone I was 60. Of course, people knew, but in this business, people tend to categorise you because of your age and not your ability.